Loading machine



Dec. 1, 1942. N. D. LEVIN LOADING MACHINE Originai Filed Oct. 22, 1937 4Sheets-Sheet l VE/V TOR NILS D LEViN BY C11. 714. M,

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ATT'Y Dec. 1, 1942. Y N. D. LEVIN 2,303,372

LOADING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 22. 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 1,1942.

Original Filed Oct. 22, 1937 V N. D. LEVIN LOADING MACHINE 4Sheets-Sheet 4 4 [wax 70R N": D. LEV N,

Patented Dec. 1, 1942 I r 2,303,372

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOADING MACHINE Nils 1). Levin, Columbus,Ohio. assignor a The Jefl'rey Manufacturing Company, a corporation ofOhio Original. application October 22, 1937, Serial No. 170,426. Dividedand this application November 24, 1939, Serial No. 305,803

21 Claims. (01. 198-8) This invention relates to a loading machine Fig.11 isa detail sectional view showing the and more particularly to afrontal attack type of mounting of removable bits or picks carried byloading machine adapted for the loading, of coal the flight; g r g in acoal mine. Fig. 12 is a side view of a form of conveyor An object of theinvention is to provideian ini- 5 flight which does not carry a bit orpick; showing proved type of frontal attack loading machine in the sideadjacent and attached to the chain; and which continuous flight carryinggathering chains Fig.1 3 is a rear view of the flight of Fig. 12. areemployed to sweep the flights both laterally This application is adivision of my co-pending and in front of the forward portion of thegather-e application Serial No. 170,426, filed October 22, ing conveyorwhich is preferably of substantially 10 1937, for an Improvement in aloading machine.

uniform width thereby providing for both frontal As illustratedgenerally in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the and lateral attack of the gatheringconveyor on drawings, the loading machine comprising my inthe materialto be loaded. vention is primarily a frontal attack machine but Stillanother object of the invention is to proprovision is made whereby agathering conveyor vide'agathering conveyorin which the front por- 15cannot become wedged into the material being tion is formedsubstantially horizontal when in loaded in that the attack is notconfined to a its mine floor contacting position with tightly frontalattack but also includesalateral attack at coupled chain links formed toarticulate about both-sides of the forward end of the gathering rightangle axes whereby the coal may be very conveyor. I emciently gathered.The said loading machine comprises a track Still another object of theinvention is to promounted truck l0 upon which is mounted a wide animproved chain for a gathering conveyor I gathering conveyor 4| and adischarge conveyor tinuous chain and connected flights of thegathere'carrying improved gathering flights, 42, the former being adapted to diginto and .Another object of the invention is to provide gather loose orsemi-compact coal and toconvey an improved gathering flight. I. it tothe latter by which it is discharged into Other objects of the inventionwill appear heretrack mounted coal cars, one of which is illusinafter,the novel features and combinations betrated at 43. (Figs. 2 and 3.) a

ing set forth in the appended claims. As will be hereinafter describedincomplete In the accompanying drawings, I detail, power means is providedto tram the-load Fig. 1 is a planview of theloa'dingmachine 9 ingmachine along the mine tracks at a relatively comprising my inventionwith the swinging boom' fast speed. and .to operate it along saidtracksof the discharge conveyor cut short; at a feeding or operating speedwhile at the same Figs. 2 and 3 placed end to endcomprise a side timeoperating the gathering and discharge conelevational view of the deviceof Fig. 1; veyors to gather and load coal into coal cars 43.

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectionai view 36 As .best seenbyreference to Figs. 2, 4' and 5, V

of the loader comprising my. invention showing the truck'lll comprises amainframe formed by particularly the rear end portion thereof;longitudinally extending side members 44 rigidly Fig. 5, comprises anextension, of Fi'g.,4 and attached together at their'forward ends by anshows the operating mechanism for theforward arcuate frontcross-pieceformed by spaced memend of the device, the extreme forward end o'i' .40bjersjl preferably welded to the side members the 'gatheringconveyerbeing cdt oif; a 1 3 j tt andrigidlyattached at their rear ends, as byweldin'g,j t'o arcuate cross-.piec e 46 (Fig; 4)

having removably' attached thereto an arcuate Fig. 6 is a sectional viewtaken along the Hot Fig. 5 looking in thedi'rection or the p v plate 41held in place by nuts and fb ltsill.v

arrows; v Fig. 7 is, a transverse sectional view taken along the line1-1! of Fig. I looking in the'directionf Adjacent itsforward'endpthemain frame comv of the arrows;

g U ".pijises.ab edplate l9 5) rigidly'attachedto Fig. 8 is a plan viewof a portion ,'oi the ooh--1- lthetops of thesi de members 44 and frontcrossieces .45.. as byrweldin'g. 'I'he gathering con- -vey'or 4iridthe'drive means therefor are suping conveyor;

F18. 9 is a rear elevational view, diiyeyer v "this bed iilfl-t'e 4a,,aswill be hereinflight s wing the conveyor. ch mlh settle 3;aiterleitplainedin complete detail. my a rig. 1o is a sideelevationalview ohthe night" gadiacent its're'ar end. -.the ma n m sproshowing particularly the side attached and 9.6- f'vflided late to(Fig, 4) which 1; r g d, Jacen' "t the conveyor chain" 1U dtm 9 the m nf the S members trolling said loading machine.

As best seen in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings,

the truck ll is mounted upon a pair of forward.

track engaging flanged wheels II, Ii keyed on axle I2 which is lournaledin adjustable bearing boxes It, It slidably supported upon guideways I,I4. Gearing mechanism II is provided for.

adjusting the bearing boxes It, It in unison longitudinally along theguideways 54, 54 from a convenient position adjacent the side of thetruck ll. The truck ll is also provided with rearward track engagingflanged wheels I, It

mountedupon axle ll Joumaled in bearing boxes 88, N slldablelongitudinally in guideways I, I. Gearing mechanism Cl readilyaccessible from the side of the truck I is provided for adjusting thebearing boxes I8, 58 longitudinally in unison v along the guideways Cl.

The axles l2 and II are provided with sprockets which are connectedtogether by a continuous chain to insure their movement in unison. AxleII also carries a drive sprocket by which it is driven, as described infull detail in the above mentioned patent application. It is thusevident that driving power will be applied to all of the track engagingwheels'il, Bi and ,ll.

The construction of the gathering conveyor 4| is best seen by referenceto Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 'l of the drawings and comprises a turntable 88formed by a bottom plate I! provided at its rear end with a circularopening adapted to receive axis provided by the pivot pins .2. Thegathering boom 88 comprises a bottom plate ll welded to a cross channelIII which said bottom plate I! is welded rigid with the side members II,II and, at its rear end, is substantially parallel with, and forms anextension'ofthe top plate 0| oi turntable ll.

As clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

the bottom plate as is provided with a flat work- This construction isparticularly desirable to the end that the bottom plate I. may workunder all of the coal during the attack on the shotdown or semi-compactmass of coal.

. As best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 'l of the drawings, the bottomplate 86 carries a pair of gatha Journal bearing in (see Figs. 4 and 5)which is reinforced by a plate II and a ring 12, all rigidly attachedtogether, as by welding. The journal bearing "is iournaled to a casting,13 which is .removably attached to the front bed plate It by virtue ofscrews 14 which thread into aring ef: ll weldedto the bottom of saidfront bed plate 1: 0, as clearly seen in Figs. 4 and 5 of the draw-"ings. It is thus evident that the tumtable.

1 -is. journaled to the truck 40 about an. upright axis provided by thecasting-l3 thereby providing conveyor 4|.

the truck 40 through the casting I3 andthus this for lateral swingingmovement of the gathering erlng chain guides 88 and 8! each formed by anouter grooved track member 8. grooved at its outer surface to receivethe side bars and retaining gibs of the gathering conveyor chainsdesignated generally 8|, 9|. That is, the track members I. are providedwith grooves and retaining flanges to keep the gathering conveyor chains0|, II in proper position. Cover plates .2, I! extend between theopposite sides of each track member 90 to prevent any materialaccumulating therebetween. Reinforcing bars 93, II are provided insideeach of the track members ll casting and the journal bearing IIassociated therewith is made of very rugged construction.

As clearly illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 of the :drawings, the bottomplate 69' is removably attached to the casting 13 by a threaded ring 16threaded to the top of said casting I3 and held locked by a set screw'l'|.

The turntable I also includes upright side plates '18 and anintermediate front plate 19 which cooperate to support a top plate 80,which plates cooperate to provide ,a gearing housing and support, ashereinafter explained in full detail. v i

As best seen in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, side plates I8 of theturntable .68 carry side brackets II, I] provided with pivot pins 82'upon .which is-pivoted the gathering boom 83 of the gathering conveyorll by means of brackets l4, I having apertures-to receive the pins 82,which brackets 84,- are welded rigid with side memand all of saidmembers comprising bottom plate 16, track members ll, ll, cover plates02 and reinforcing bars 93 are rigidly attached together by appropriaterivets.

- As clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the track members"extend substantially the full length of the gathering conveyor II andthus the gathering conveyorchains operate substantially throughout theentire length of said gath-' ering conveyor. As a consequence, there isonly one re-handling of the gathered material from the time it is firstgathered by the gathering conveyor to the time it is discharged into themine cars and this is during the time it is discharged from thegathering conveyor to the discharge conveyor.

It is furthermore to be noted by particular reference to Fig. 1, thatthe inner portions of the track members 90 are substantially parallelbers OI, I! of said gathering boom 83. It will,

be evident that the boom 83 is swingable with respect to the turntableis about a horizontal through the entire length. As a consequence,

.there is no progressive squeezing action on the coal being loaded whichcan produce undesirable stresses and strains.

As was previously pointed out, the width of the bottom plate 80 issubstantially constant through the entire length but at the front endrattacking portion thereof it is curved rearward- "the rearward portionof the travel of the conveyor chains I in their progress towardthe frontendioi' the gathering conveyor, the flights are spaced inwardly of the,sides of the bottom plate i0 and are within the confines of the sidemembers I! which are provided with appropriate cover plates 95, 95(Fig, 1) attached to inner side wall cover plates 95', 95' (see Fig.However, adjacent the forward end of the gathering conveyor 4| the coverplates 95, 95 and the side members 85 are cut away and the outside trackmembers 90 diverge progressively as the front end is approached. As aconsequent, the flights of the gathering conveyor chains 9|progressively move laterally beyond the edges of the bottom plate 88adjacent the flat working portion 81 thereof. These flights also, inmoving around the front curved ends of the guide members 80, extendbeyond the front extremity of the curved portion 94 of the bottom plate88 to dig into, break down and gather the coal either in shotdowncondition or in a semi-compact mass. This operation is described in morecomplete detail hereinafter..

As clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, I also preferablyprovide a pair of electric lights 98, 98 on the gathering conveyor 4| toilluminate the material being worked.

Since the gathering boom 83 of the gathering conveyor M is pivoted abouta horizontal axis 82 with respect to the turntable 88 of said gatheringconveyor II, it is, of course, evident that the track members 90must bebroken at this pivot point. As illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings, anextension for the track members 80 is provided at 91 to guide theconveyor chain 9| in its head I08 provided with an appropriate packinggland or stuffing box I I3. It will be evident that fluid under pressuremay be admitted either above or below the piston III to move it eitherupwardly or downwardly.

As described in complete detail in the above mentioned parentapplication, the piston 'I I I may also-be sealed and locked in anyadjusted position. The upper end of the piston rod H5 is provided withan upset head I20 received fixedly but loosely in a channeled crossmember I2I provided at its opposite ends with downwardly exmovement overthe turntable 88. The extensions 31, of which there will be. one foreach of the two gathering conveyor chains, provide guide paths on eachside thereof leading both to and from drive sprockets 98 for which,there will be one for each of the chains SI, 9|. The extensions 91 will,of course, terminate the guide track for the chains SI, 9| adjacent thedrive sprockets 98, 98. I 7

Each of said extensions 81, 91 is provided with a rounded nose 90 (Fig.5) adapted to extend into a pocket in the frame of the boom 83 andslightly spaced therefrom. This,- of course, mrmits limited movement ofthe boom 83 about the horizontal' axis provided by the pins 82, 82. It

is also to be noted that protecting cover-plates I00 are providedadjacent and above the. top plate 80 of the turntable 88, which coverplates I00 overlap'of the cover plates 95. (Fig. 5.)

To provide for the vertical swinging movement of the boom83 about ,theaxis of pivot pins 82- I provide a double acting type of hydraulicpiston by a plurality of elongated clamp bolts I99, pro,-

videdwith appropriate nuts, is a cylinder IIO. Within the cylinder H0 isa piston III formed byapair of opposed sealing rings I I2, I I2 pgenerably made of leather or a composition to effect a perfect seal andcarried upon ,a ring I I3 and clamped between clampplates I I4 clampedrigid ly to a piston rod II5 by a keyed nut II8. The head casting I03 isprovided with aninlet Ill and the cylinder head I08, is. Provided-withtending L-shaped hanger plates I22, I22'forming a yoke.- The connectionbetween the head I20 and the cross member I2I permits relative movementbetween them while insuring their attachment together.

The hanger plates I22, I22 have their horizontal portions provided withapertures through which extend rods I23, I23 pivotally attached at theirtops by pins I25; I25 to a transversely extending bar I24 welded rigidlywith the bottom plate 88 of the boom 83. Between the horizontal portionsof said hanger plates I22, I22, I provide compression coil springs I28,I28. The bottom. ends of the rods I23,I23 are threaded and receiveadjusting and lock nuts I21, I21.

It will be evident, particularly by reference to Fig, 6 of the drawings,that the boom' 83 is supported upon coil springs I28, I28. "When theloading machine, with the gathering conveyor 4I elevated, travels alongthe track about the same weight is carried on the axles 52 and 51. Whenat the face, the front end of the gathering conveyor 4| is lowered untilit rests on the. mine floor. This takes a great amount of weight off thefront axle and, except for springs I28, I28, would throw the machine outof balanceto such an extent that the front wheels 5|, 5| might raise offthe track and derail the machine. Also, sometimes the front end ofthegathering. conveyor 4| climbs up a. roll in the mine bottom.

, The springs I28, I28 insure sufilcient load on front wheels 5|, 5| tokeep them'on the track rails under all normal conditions and prevent"derailment..

13 r" ference particularly to Fig. 5 of the drawings, it will be seenthat adjacent the forward end of the truck Y40 and extending upwardlythroughth'e frdnt bed plate 49 thereof, is-a plurality of rollers I28mounted upon stub shafts I20 carried by the spaced plates ofthe frontcross-piece 45. These rollers I28 bear against anarcuate .bearing plateI30, carried on the bottom plate 8301f the turntable and thus pro'-.vide an, anti-friction support for the front end" of the turntable 8 8of said truck 40, In other words, the turntable 88 will be supportedupon the truck 40 by the journal bearing 10 and by the rollers I28 andbearing plate I30. To iiisure upward movement of, the truck 40 in caseinlet port I I8. The piston rod "5 1 and 5 of the, drawings, comprisingacylthrough an appropriate opening in the cylinder [6 inder I35,pivotally attached at its rear end to a bracket I" formed rigid with themain frame of the truck ll, and a piston carrying a rod III pivotallyattached to a bracket formed rigid with the turntable ll of thegathering conveyor II. The piston motor I is of the double acting type.That is, it may be moved under power in reverse directions and with thesystem comprising my invention, may be locked in any adjusted position.It is to be noted that this hydraulic piston motor is entirely withinthe conflnes of the loading machine truck ll and thus does not increasethe width of said machine. It is furthermore to be noted that it ishighly protected and therefore cannot be easily damaged.

' Attention is now directed particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 8 to 13,inclusive, and to the construction of the gathering conveyor chains IIand the gathering flights which they carry. Each of said gatheringchains ll comprises a plurality of main axis so that the chain cantravel over the irregular surface of the bottom plate ti, and also freeto pivot about "a vertical axis so the chain can travel around thecontinuous generally orbital path provided by the'track members 90. Forany other movement the chain will be relatively rigid which isparticularly desired in carrying out the rather heavy work required ofthe gathering chains II.

As illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings, I

' pivotally attach to every sixth main link I a gathering flight I ofthe construction illustrated in detail in Figs. 9, 10 and 11interspersed with alternate gathering flights I of the type illustraiedin detail in Figs. 12 and 13 of the drawings.

The essential difference between the gathering flights land I lies inthe fact that the former carry removable bits or picks III which areparticularly eifective to dig intov and break down a semi-compact massof material while thegathering flights I are devoid of such bits orpicks.

Each of the gathering flights I 43 comprises a body having an upstandingserrated rib or comb I which forms a scraping face and extends generallyat right angles to the path of travel of the chain OI with the freeouter end concavely curved forward and terminating in a bottom point Illwhich extends beyond the forward edge of plate It as it passes around itand rides rearwardly on said plate 66 during its return movement. Therib I46 progresses in height from a minimum adjacent the point I" to amaximum adjacent the opposite side thereof where it terminates at aposition on the opposite side of the chain II. That is, the serrated ribI extends laterally from both side runs of the chain SI to a positionabove said chain 9|. As a consequence, there is ,a'positive movement ofmaterial by the flights Ilj over a very-extensive area including thearea above the chain II. Each flight III is pivotally attached to a mainlink It! bya pin-Ila to permit pivotal movement with respect thereto.Extending rearwardly from the main body of the flight Illadaptedtoabutagainstacam Ifl'onthefoilowing main link Ill and providedwith a bit receiving socket III adapted to receive the bit or pick IIIwhich extends upwardly and outwardly in trailing relation to rib I".

In view of the fact that the entire gathering flight I, as well as thegathering flight I, are made of a casting of extremely hard material, itis not possible to form threads in said flight and thus I provide a setscrew III to hold the bit I in place, having in cooperation therewith aremovable threaded nut I". As a consequence, a receiving aperture forthe set screw III is cast during the formation of the gathering flight I43.

To prevent rotation of the nut III a holding ledge I is providedadjacent one of the flat faces of the nut. As previously stated, theconstruction of the gathering flight I is substantially the same as thatof the flight I except the socket Ill and the bit or pick! iseliminated. A detailed description of the gathering flights I appearsunn is an arm I provided with an abutment Ill 1s By referring to Figs.8, 9 and 13, it will be seen thatthe lower leading edge of each of theflights I and I is curved when viewed in plan although such leading edgeoccupies a single plane when viewed in elevation because such edge ofeach of the flights Ill and I is a scraping edge adapted to slide alongthe bottom of the conveyor trough that is located between'the adjacentlengths. of the conveyor chains. as shown in Figs. 1 and '1. The upperserrated rib, I is also curved as viewed in plan so that it will meetthe outer end of the lower curved scraping edge at Ill. It will thus beseen by referring to Fig. 8 that the gathering surface between the lowerleading scraping edge and the upper serrated rib I is an approximatelyconcave surface so that the flight has a wedge formation transverselythereof or parallel to the chain and also a wedge formationlongitudinally of the flight to facilitate frontal attacks by moving thewhole machine along the mine track.

The upward and lateral extensions of the serrated ribs not only increasethe size of the V'- shaped kerfs produced at the base of the standingshattered mass of coal but also serve as extensions of the gatheringfaces of the flights. The cover plates Ii, it have inner side walls Ii,II, as shown in Fig. 1, these inner side walls being vertical andparallel and spaced from the edges of the trough along which theconveyor flights scrape, as shown in Fig. 7. The upper ends of theserrated ribs extend over the adjacent lengths of the conveyor chains topositions closely adiain Fig. 7. It will thus be seen that when theflights move along in closely adjacent pairs Ill, I, as shown in Fig. 1,the scraping and flight actions for transferring material extendentirely across the space between the vertical parallel inher sidewallsli', OI. Such arrangement serves to materially crease the capacityof the pair of endless gathering conveyors.

As clearly seen by reference to Figs. 1 and 7 of the drawings. the'opposite gathering conveyor chains I are so placed in operation that thebit carrying flights I of one conveyor chain I are directly opposite thefree flights I 44 of the other conveyor chain II during the movement ofsaid conveyor chains II while conveying material from the front end ofthe gathering conveyor II mam to the rear end thereof. It has been foundin practice that this is the best and most efficient arrangement ofparts.

As clearly seen by reference to Fig. '7 of the drawings, there will beno binding of the conveyor chains 9| by coal particles because a pick orbit I45 on one chain M is never opposite a bit or pick I45 on theopposite conveyor chain.

It will also be evident, particularly by reference to Fig. 7 of thedrawings, that the inclining of the serrated ribs or combs of theflights I43 and I44 will prevent any binding due to the fact that largecoal lumps will be moved upwardly and free themselves should any bindingstart to take place.

Attention is now directed particularly to the construction of thedischarge conveyor 42 as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Saiddischarge conveyor 42 comprises three articulated parts including astationary hopper I55 supported upon the front bed plate 49 of the truck40. by spaced side brackets. The hopper I55 is removably attached to theside brackets by nuts and bolts. The hopper I55 comprises spaced sidemembers I58 and a downwardly inclined rear chute I59 (Fig. formedintegral with said side plates I58. The chute I59 is adapted to receivecoal as it discharges from the rear end of the gathering conveyor 4Iover the top plate 80. A guiding arcuate apron I60 is carried by the topplate 80 in overlapping relation with the chute I59 to insure the properreception of coal by said hopper I55 without any loss thereof. The chuteI59 is of generally conical form thus permitting free rotation of theapron I60 with respect thereto.

It may also be pointed out that the side plates 18 of the turntable 68have rearwardly extending deflector wings I6I, I 6| which extend overand partially into the arcuate chute I 59 of the hopper I55 thus guidingthe material discharged by the gathering conveyor 4| into the hopperI55. (Figs. 1 and 5.) The hopper I55 is provided with a chain guidingbottom plate I62 (see Figs. 4 and 5) which is primarily adapted to guidethe return flight of the conveyor chain associated with the dischargeconveyor 42. A feed plate I63 is provided adjacent the forward end. ofthe chute I59 in the hopper I55 and feeds the material onto a materialsupporting false bottom plate I64 of the hopper I55 over which bottomplate I64 the upper run of the flight carrying conveyor chain I65 of thedischarge conveyor 42 travels to convey the coal rearwardly anddischarge it onto the cars 43. Pivotally attached to the hopper I55 bymeans of spaced side brackets I66, I66 (Fig. 4) carried by side membersI61, I61 and journaled on pins I68, I68 is a discharge boom I69. It isevident that the boom I69 is pivoted about a horizontal axis formed bypins I68 for vertical swinging movement with respect to the hopper I55and the truck 40. The discharge boom I69is formed in two partscomprising the forward part I and the rearward part I1I which arepivotally attached about a vertical axis, the rearward part "I beingswingable horizontally about said vertical axis. The forward part I10 ofthe boom I69 comprises a bottom plate I12 which acts somewhat as acontinuation of the bottom plate I62 of the hopper I55.

Positioned above the bottom plate I12 is a material supporting falsebottom plate I13 which forms a continuation of the material supportingfalse bottom plate I64 of the hopper I55. LExtending successively alongthe false bottom plates I64 and I13 is a pair of'spaced guiding and re-As clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, these angle membersI14 and I15 cooperate with retaining gibs on the conveyor chain I65 toretain it in place while permitting longitudinal movement thereof, atthe same time guiding it properly along the center or, the troughwayformed by the false bottom and side plates of the discharge conveyor 42.I

Extending downwardly from the false bottom plate I13 and in alignmentwith the angle members I14, I14 I provide angle members I16 which form aguide and support for the return run of the chain I65 during its travelalong the forward part I10 of discharge boom I69. Opposite the anglemembers I16 and carried on top of the bottom plate I12 is a wear stripI11 which also aids to support the return strand of the chain I65.

As clearly indicated by reference to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings, therearward part "I of the discharge boom I69 comprises spaced side platesI18, I18 between which extends a bottom plate I19 above which ispositioned a material supporting false bottom plate I which is acontinuation of the false bottom plate I13 and over which the conveyorchain I65 travels and conveys the material. The forward end of therearward part "I has attached to the false bottom plate I80 contactingplate means I8I which is pivotally attached by a pivot I82 to the rearend of the false bottom plate I13.

As clearly illustrated in Fig. l of the drawings, the rear end of thefalse bottom plate I13 and of the bottom plate I12 are formed on the arcof a circle, the center of which is along the axis of the pivot I82.Likewise, the forward end of the bottom plate I19 and the false bottomplate I80 are formed on the arcs of slightly larger circles than thoseof plates I12 and I13, respectively, whereby a continuous surface isprovided in each case for any swinging position of the rearward part I"of the discharge boom I69.

It is also to be noted by reference to Fig. 4 of the drawings, thatangle members I83 are provided on the bottom of the plate member I8I toform a guide for the return strand of the chain I65 leading up to thepivot point provided by pivot I82.

Adjacent the break between the bottom plates I12 and "91 provide a lowerwear plate I84 on plate I19 and laterally spaced guide plates I85. onmember I8I. These plates I84 and I85 serve to guide and direct thereturn strand of the chain I65 so that their gibs' enter the guidewaysof the angle members I83.

Adjacent the rearward arcuate end of the bottom plate I12 I provide anarcuate bearing plate I06 upon which rolls a pair of rollers "I (seeFig. 2) carried at opposite sides of the front end of the rearward partI of discharge boom I89, by brackets 382, which, with the pivot I82,support the rear part'I1I of the discharge boom I69. Adjacent itsrearmost end the rearward part "I will be provided with a centrallypositioned discharge sprocket mounted upon an adjustable shaft I81 (seeFig. 3) upon which sprocket the conveyor chain I65 will ride. At theforward end of the discharge conveyor 42 (see Fig. 5) I provide withinthe hopper I55 a centrally disposed guide sprocket I88 for said chainI65.'

To effect a driving of the chain I65 I provide -a drive sprocket I89(seeFlg. 4); mounted on 'a taining angle members I14'and I15,respectively. 78

shaft I90 by 'a hollow sleeve which shaft I80 is jcurnaled in the rearend of the side members IIO of the hopper Ill. To maintain the chain It!in meshing relation with the drive sprocket I82 I provide a curved wearshoe I22 mounted on the false bottom plate I2l.-

As clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the chain It! carriesa plurality of spaced flights I22 which, during the upper run of thechain II! are adapted to scrape over the false bottom plates I24, I12and Ill successively thereby to convey material rearwardly from thehopper I" and discharge it into the cars 42.

'tachedtobracket 2IIisarod2I2 therear'end ing ring 202 which makes aleak-proof sliding flt,

within which cylindrical piston I22 is a guide cylinder 22I within whichextends a coil spring 222 mounted upon a pivoted coupling member 222having an upstanding guide rod 2 which extends into the coil spring 222and into the guide cylinder 2III, the coupling member 222 beingpivotally attached to a bracket 22! formed integral with the rear bedplate II and the bumper plate 41 of the truck 42.

It is evident that the coil springs 222 will provide a flexible supportfor the discharge boom I 22 for any position of adjustment thereof, thusrelieving any strain caused by a large lump of coal on the boom strikingthe top of the mine roof or for any other similar cause. The "guide rod224 provides a guide and retaining means for the coil spring 222.

-It will be evident that by admitting fluid under pressure to the portI22 or discharging it by said port, the piston I may be adjusted in thecylinder I22 to expand or contract thehydraulic piston motor mechanism I24 thus swinging the discharge boom I22 about the horizontal axisprovided by the pins I", By locking the fluid in the cylinder I, ashereinafter deof which ispivoted to a sliding head 2I2 of a hydraulicpiston motor 222. Said hydraulic piston motor 222 comprises a cylinderrigidly attached to a side plate of rearward part "I of discharge boomI22 within which is a piston attachedto'a pistonrod2l4.

It is evident that upon operation of the hydraulic piston motor 222 therearward part "I of discharge boom I" will swing about the axis of pinI22. The motor 222 may be locked in any desired position of adjustmentto lock the rearward part "I of discharge boom I" in position. In actualpractice this angleof swing is made approximately eighty degrees. It mayalso he mentioned that the angle of swing of the gathering conveyor llis also approximately eighty degrees.

This ability to swing the discharge boom by fluid pressure motoroperated mechanism provides for the loading of cars on tracks adjacentthe track which supports the loading machine and, in addition, providesfor the loading of cars while the loading machine is on a curved track.It is also useful in travelling around curves while tramming the loadingmachine to an operating scribed, the boom I" may be locked in anyelevated position.

Attention is now directed particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of thedrawings, and to the construction of the means for swinging the-rearwardpart I1I of the discharge boom I 62 with respect to the forward part I10thereof. It may be mentioned that to provide continuous side walls forthe discharge conveyor 42 for any position of adjustment of the rearwardpart "I with respect to the forward part I12, each of the side platesI12 carries a pivoted arcuate extension side plate 202, the free end ofwhich is urged into contacting relation with the side plate I21 by acoil spring 221 coiled about an extensible rod pivoted at one end to abracket rigid with the:

plate 222 and extending through a bracket 2" formed rigid with the sideplate I12. As the rearward part "I of the boom I22 swings about the axisof pin I22, the free end of the plate 222 will move forwardly andrearwardly in contacting relation with the side member I21 thus formingcontinuous sides for the discharge boom 42. Y

To cause swinging movement of the rearward part In of the boom m, withrespect to the podtion.

Attention is now directed particularly to Figs. 4 and 5, and to thedrive means for the various devices to be driven. At the outset it maybe stated that only a single or common electric motor 222 is relied uponas the primary source of power to effect a driving of all of the devicesof the loading machine. Bald electric motor 222 is mounted upon the rearbed plate ll of the truck 42 and compactly positioned below thedischarge conveyor 42 which extends upwardly and rearwardly from thehopper III. Due to this positioning of the electric motor 224 it ispossible to provide a very large and powerful motor which is capable ofeffecting any and all of the drives required at any time whilemaintaining a machine of low height to permit its use in a relativelylow head coal mine. Said electric motor 224 is provided with a forwardlyextending armature shaft 222 (see Fig. 4) carrying a drive pinion 222meshing with a bevel ring gear 221 which is rigidly attached to thehousing 222 of a friction clutch mechanism 222. The housing 222 is keyedto a vertical shaft 222 which is mounted a at its top in a bracket 22Irigidly attached to the main frame of the truck ll, there being anantifriction ball bearing 222 interposed between the bracket 22I and theshaft 222 which is held in place by a removable cap 222. The bottom ofthe shaft 222 is supported in a bracket 224 formed rigid with the bottomplate ll, said support being through an anti-friction ball bearing 22!.Keyed to the lower end of the shaft 222 and above the bearing 22!, is abevel gear 222.

' It may thus be noted that the gear 221 and the forward part I12thereof about the axis of pin (5 gear 222 being both keyed to the shaft222, will gadriven together at all times .from the motor Journaledloosely on the central portion of the shaft 22l-is a clutch member 231.Splined on the interior of the housing 228 and on the exterior of theclutch member 221, which members 222and 221 comprise cooperating clutchmemhers, is a plurality of overlapping stacked friction plates,alternate ones of which are connected to the housing 222 and the clutchmember 221, respectively. Adjacent its bottom the clutch memees?! her231 is provided with an integral extended flange to which is keyed agear 240. The flange, in addition to supporting the gear 249, also actsas one compression member for; the friction clutch plates. J

To effect a compression of the clutch plates and thus to effect anengagement of the clutch elements 228 and 231, I provide a compressionring 24| within the housing 229 having a flange which bears against saidclutch plates. Downward movement of the ring 2 to effect theaforementioned compression action is effected by a plurality of pins 242which extend through apertures in the housing 228 and are carriedby aring 243 operable through an anti-friction ball bearing operable by atrunnion collar which is controlled by a shipper 246 keyed on a shaft241 which shaft 241 is journaled at one end in an upwardly extendingplate rigidly attached to a false bottom plate 249 which, in turn, isrigidly attached to the main frame of the truck 40.

It will be evident that rocking movement of the shaft 241 to urge thecollar downward will cause an application of the friction clutch 229 todrive the gear 240 and when the shaft 241 is released the clutch 229will automatically become disen gaged due to lack of sufficient clampingpressure on the clutch plates.

It may be stated that the gear 240 which is controlled by the clutch 229is individual to a gear train for driving the gathering conveyor chains9|. This gear train will now be described with particular reference toFigs. 4 and 5. The gear 240 meshes with idler gear 25l mounted upon ananti-friction supported shaft 252 journaled in a cup 253 rigidly andremovably attached to front bed plate 49, which gear 25I in turn mesheswith a large gear 254 carried by a shaft 255 on anti-friction bearingsin the previously described casting 13.

It is to be particularly noted that since the vertical axis aboutwhich'the gathering conveyor 4| swings is along the axis of the shaft255, power can be transmitted to said gathering conveyor through thegear 254 while the gathering conveyor is in any desired position ofadjustment. The large gear 254 meshes with one of a pair ofinter-meshing large gears 256, 256 which are journaled in the bottomplate 69 and top plate 7 89 of the turntable 68 and which drive thepreviously mentioned sprockets 98, 98 through shafts 251,.251. It isthus seen that the two drive sprockets 98 are driven in reversedirections and at the same speed, thereby to drive the gathering chains9|, 9| at the same speed and in reverse directions, with the flights onone chain in fixed relation to the flights on the other chain.

The gear train which is operative to drive the truck 4|] eitherforwardly or reversely and at either a fast tramming or transportationspeed or at a low feeding or sumping speed is notcompletely disclosedherein as it forms no part of the invention herein claimed. It isdisclosed in full detail in the parent application.

In the interest of clearness, many of the details of the loaderwhich'are disclosed in full in the parent application are not hereindisclosed because they are not, per se, a part of the invention hereinclaimed. For example, the aforedescribed clutch'operating shaft 241 isoperated baa, handle 455 (Fig. 2). adjacent an operator's station at oneside of the machine. said handle biased to clutch disengaging beingspring tion.

' I addition, there is a gear tra n between the beveled gear 233 (Fig.4) and the truck axles 52 and 51 including a pair of alternatelyengageable clutches operable by "a handle I (Fig. 2) to effectselectively reverse driving of the loader. This gear train also includesspeed ratio varying gears so that'the drive may be either at a traminingor at a working speed.

Still further, there is a gear train extending from'said beveled gear236 .to transverse shaft I99 (Fig. 4) which drives chain I 65 throughsprocket I89 as above described. This gear train includes a frictionclutch operable by a lever 3|! (Fig. 2) located adjacent the operator'sstation,

from which extends a cable to a handle 324 adjacent a trip ridersstation near the rear end of the loader, whereby both the loaderoperator and trip rider can control the operation of conveyor chain I65.

The loader is also provided with an electric feed cable 329 (Fig. 1)mounted on a power driven reel 325. 7

Also, the loader includes a hydraulic system having as a part thereofthe four aforedescribed hydraulic piston motors I02, I34, I94 and 222.There is an individual control valve for each of these motors adjacentthe operators station. These four valves are seen at 3", 314, 315 and318 in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The two valves 315 and 318 which controlthe swinging of part |1| of boom I69. are also operable from the tripriders station by virtue of extensions to handles 423 and 424.

In the operation of the loader comprising my invention, it may betrammed along a trackway in a mine to the place where the loadingoperation is to take place. During this tramming operation. the drivewheels of the truck will be driven at their fast speed and the electriccable will be paid out freely. The gathering conveyor will be elevatedwith its front end above the tracks and both the gathering and thedischarge conveyors may be controlled by the operator who rides on asmall platform on the truck 40 adjacent the above described controls, toswing.

said gathering and discharge conveyors, as required by the travel of theloader along a curved track. I

When the loading machine has reached the place where the coal is to beloaded, which coal has been. previously cut and shot, with part thereofformedas loose coal and part formed as a semi-compact mass, thedriving'gears will be changed to drive it at a slow or sumping speed.The operator will then adjust the gathering conveyor 4| and thedischarge conveyor 42, the former by lowering it in contacting relationwith the mine tracks or, if the first operation is to take placeadjacent the side of the mine tracks to lower it into'contact withthemine floor with the discharge conveyor 4| positioned to dischargeinto a mine car 43.

With the conveyor mechanisms of the discharge and gathering conveyorsset into operation, and with the front end of the gathering unit restingon the mine floor in advance of the mine track, the entire machine maybe fed forwardly providing a frontal attack of the gathering conveyor 4|on the coal at the bottom of the mass of material to be loaded. "Theflights I43 and I44 .will dig into the loose or semi-compact I coal andfeed-it to the gathering conveyor 4|.

Onespecial feature of operation, of my dvice lies in the fact thatthegathering flights I43 and |44 of the gathering conveyor 4| at ck h alat'the 'same time and in opposite'directions to secure a balancingeffect, thereby reducing to a minimum any tendency for the loader tojump off the tracks during the operation of the gathering mechanism.

A further very important feature of the operation of the flights I43 andI also lies in the wedging action which they have due to the inclinedserrated rib or comb I 48. Due to this construction the flights tend towedge under the coal, particularly when in a semi-compact mass, therebybreaking it down and at the same time providing a minimum of degradationdue to the lack of a striking action comparable with a ham mer blow.

It may also be mentioned that a low degradation is realized with myloader due to the fact that there is only a single rehandling of thecoal by the loader, namely, at the hopper I55. This, of course, isrealized by virtue of the fact that the gathering conveyor unitcomprises continuous gathering mechanisms which operate throughsubstantially the entire len th thereof.

It is also to be noted that due to the fact that flights I43 and Iextend laterally over the opposite edges of the flat working portion 81of the bottom plate 86 there is no tendency for the gathering conveyorto become wedged in the pile of coal, particularly when it is in theform of a semi-compact mass. Furthermore, a swinging or side attack onthe coal may be carried out due to this particular construction. This isparticularly useful in a final clean-up for, in generai, I prefer tooperate the device as a frontal attack loading machine.

The power transmission mechanism connected chine to move rearwardlythereby causing the between the motor 224 and the pair of endless.

conveyor chains on the gathering device ll, comprises the gear 240 onthe vertical shaft 230 of Fig. 4. The gear 240 meshes with the gearwhich in turn meshes with the gear 254, and the latter is in mesh withone of the gears 258. Since the gears 258 mesh with each other, theflights of the gathering conveyor are in such fixed relation to eachother that they travel in pairs, in opposite directions, as illustratedin Fig. l. The starting and stopping of the pair of endless chains ofthe gathering conveyor are controlled by'theclutch 229 shown in Fig. 4.During normal operation of the gathering conveyor the flights move inpairs towards the discharge conveyor 42 and therefore the motor 224should be continuously operated in the same direction.

The hopper I55 is capable of storing coal when the discharge conveyor 42is discontinued while changing mine cars. That is to say, the hopper I"enables the gathering mechanism to be kept continuously in operationeven when mine cars are being changed. The rear end of the gatheringmechanism is extended to a relatively high elevation to efllcientlydeliver the gathered coal to the hopper.

Should a lump of coal get caught between the rear end portion of theathering conveyor and the roof of the mine chamber, th crowding andwedging action will bedownward against the upwardly extending serrationsof the flights I43, I (Fig. '7) and against-the points of the cutterbits I", thereby effecting a crushing of the unusually large lumps ofcoal so that delivery of thecoal to the discharge conveyor need not beinterrupted. If there is an overload on the gathconveyor flights I and Ito release the contacted coal and relieve the overload.

Under the control of the lever 214 shown in Fig. 2 the operator maycontrol the swinging of the gathering conveyor on its pivotal connectionat 2" to the truck frame 40, and during such swinging movement of thegathering conveyor its frame II rests at its forward end on the rollersIII, as shown in Fig. 5. A single reciprocating hydraulic motor I34,pivotally connected at its ends to the truck frame and the gatheringconveyor frame, is relied on to swing the forward end of the gatheringconveyor to various angular positions relative to the mine track. Thegathering conveyor may be locked in its angular adjusted position whenthe loading machine is to be sumped or withdrawn rectilinearly parallelto the mine track, butit should be understood that the reciprocatinghydraulic motor I is suflicie'ntly powerful to swing the forwardportion-of the gathering conveyor in either direction for lateral attackon a semi-compact mass of shot down coal, and .at various elevationsillustrated in full and dotted lines in Fig. 2.,

After a mine vein has been undercut and shot down it may remain standingfor several feet back from the face in a semi-compact mass termed a"standing shot. Some of this may be tight at various elevations but thefrontal attack of the gathering unit may be relied on to effectdislodgment of such semi-compact mass onto the receiving end of thegathering unit. The outer ends of the flights reach out beyond thegathering head and move along the mine bottom, the rearwardly andupwardly extending serrations tending to form a V-shaped kerf at thebase of the upstanding mass so that the picks following the flights caneasily tear the coal loose to cause it to fall forward onto thegathering head plate. The coal thus loosened sometimes falls from thestanding mass in large quantities necessitating retraction of the loaderin readiness for another forward gathering movement to load the loosenedcoal. While in some instances by reason of the serrated flights and thepicks mounted thereon, the coal may be dislodged from a mine veinwithout drilling and blasting, the main purpose of such flights andpicks on a gathering conveyor is to attack semi compact masses of coalto loosen the same while loading'operations are being carried on. Iprefer to mount the bits or picking fingers or tools I45 on alternateflights so that two spaced serrated flights will move in advance of eachpicking tool. This can readily be seen by referring to Fig. i. It willalso be seen by referring to Figs. 7 and 9 that the picking tools extenddiagonally upwardly considerably above the path of the serrations of theflights. Consequently the picking tools are able to penetrate the upperinclined wall of the V-shaped kerf sufllciently to tear loose thestanding shattered coal and cause it to fall forward toward thegathering head plate.

The discharge conveyor comprisestwo sections I10 and ill (Fig. 4), withthe rear section I'll movable laterally on the upright pivot I82.Hydraulically operated mechanism comprising the hydraulic motor 222 iscontrolled by the valve 4 lever 315 to effect power swinging of the rearering conveyor chain 9! due to contact between flights I" or I and.solid or irremovable coal the friction clutch 22! will slip, whereuponthe proper clutch will be operated to cause the masection of thedischarge conveyor. By means of the mechanisms 208, etc., the continuityof the sides I81, I" and I18, ill of the discharge conveyor 42 ismaintained notwithstanding the fact that the discharge conveyorcomprises a single endless chain" I65- having links pivot 'jallyeonnected on vertical and horizontalaxeathis chain being'similar inconstruction to the chain; iilf, as

shown in Fig. 8;.

The cable reeirzsj Fig. 1) may; beoperated by power to wind up the cable#29 which contains the insulatedwires connecting the motor 224 to theply. It is preferred that a main loader operator should be in a positionto operate all of the condistant source of electric power suptrollinglevers'and that another operator should be able by means of extendedactuating. connections, to. control adjustmentsof the discharge conveyorindependently'of the operation of the gathering conveyor. As the minecars are brought up, loaded, and replaced by empty cars, a rear operatoror trip rider may start and stop the discharge conveyor and adjust theelevation of the rear end thereof as well as its lateral position. Themain operator will know when the discharge conveyor stops withoutlooking backward and thus stop the gathering conveyor to preventoverflow from hopper I55.

It should be understood that when the gathering conveyor unit is swunglaterally the hopper I55 of the discharge conveyor apparatus remainsstationary; The rearwardly extending wings IGI, ISI' shown in Figs. 1and 5 have their lower edges in overlapping relation to the uppersemicircular'edge of the semi-funnel shaped chute I59. Such wings IBI,I6I' move bodily with the gathering conveyor unit. As the flights leavethe rear, edges of the plate 80 they move away from each other and anymaterial thrown laterally will be deflected by the wings IBI', IISI'into the hopper I55. Furthermore, such wings extendupwardly from thelateral edges of the chute I59 to co-operate with the latter to deepenthe hopper I55.

Obviously thoserskilled in the art may make various changes in thedetails and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined'by the claims hereto appended, and Itherefore wish not to be restricted to the precise construction hereindisclosed.

Having thus described and shown an embodiment of my invention, what Idesire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A gathering conveyor chain'flight comprising a body having a leadingserrated rib and a trailing tearing down tool mounted in spaced relationto said rib.

2. A gathering chain flight conveyor comprising flights each pivoted tothe chain and each having a body forming an inclined serrated rib at thetop which rib extends both above and laterally of said chain when inoperation.

3. In a loader, the combination with a main frame, of a gatheringconveyor mounted thereon on one chain aligned with a non-bit-carrying vflight on the other chain.

4. A combination mining and loading machine comprising the combinationwith a supporting frame, of a supplemental frame mounted thereon, a pairof chain flight conveyors mounted on said supplemental frame foroperation in reverse directions, each of said chain: flight; conveyorscomprising serrated flights with alternate-flights carrying dislodgingbits, a; conveyor trough ex-' tending, rearwardly. along said.supplemental frame, and means jfor operating said chain flight conveyorsin fixed: relation to.- each other with the dislodging bits of, oneconveyor arranged in staggered relationwith the dislodging bits of theother conveyor; v v

5. ma conveyor, the combination-witha frame having a plate over whichmaterial is scraped having a material receiving front edge adapted to:be fed into a'pile of coal, of a pair of gathering conveyorsthereon'adapted to gather material and feed it onto said'plate andconvey it conveyors comprising an; endless tight jointed:

chain, a guide therefor, jibs onsaid chain for retaining it in saidguide, pivoted flights attached to said chain, saidflights each having aserrated top edge which slopes upwardly from the bottom joint which,point is adapted to extend beyond the plate at the front thereof and toride on saidplate as the flight is conveyed rearwardly thereover, saidflight top edge extending upwardly from said point at one side of saidchain to a position spaced above said chain.

6. In a conveyor, the combination with a frame having a plate over whichmaterial is scraped having a material receiving front edge adapted to befed into a pile of coal; of a pair of gathering conveyors thereonadapted. to gather mate'- rial and feed it onto said plate and convey itrearwardly therealong, each of said gathering conveyors comprising anendless tight jointed chain, a guide therefor, jibson said chain forretaining it in said guide, flights attached to said chain, said flightseach having a serrated top: edge which slopes upwardly'from the bottompoint which point is adapted to extend beyond the plate at the frontthereof and to ride on said plate as the flight is conveyed rearwardlythereover, breaking down devices comprising adjacent pairs and saidbreaking down devices in staggered relation. 1 l

'7. In a conveyor, the combination with a frame having a plate overwhich material is scraped having a material receiving front edge adaptedto be fed .into a pile of coal, of a pair of gathering conveyors thereonadapted to gather material and feed it onto said plate and convey itrearwardly therealong, each of said gathering conveyors comprising anendless tight jointed chain, a guide therefor; jibs on said chain forretaining it in said guide, pivoted flights attached to said chain, saidflights each having a serrated top edge which slopes upwardly from thebottom point which point is adapted to extend beyond the plate at thefront thereof and to ride on said plate as the flight is conveyedrearwardly thereover, breaking down devices comprising picks mounted onsome of the flights of both conveyors, and means for driving saidconveyors in fixed relation to each other with the serrated flights inclosely adjacent lateral alined pairs and said picks in staggeredrelation.

8. A gathering conveyor flight comprising a hardened metal body, a bitreceiving sockettherein, a set screw extending loosely through a holeleading to said socket, and a retaining nut on said set screw.

9. A gathering conveyor flight comprising a body having,a leadingmaterial scraping face formedas a concave curve terminating in a leadingpoint at its outer end, said point being adjacent thebottom thereof andforming the tip of a serrated rib, the top of which is inclined upwardlytherefrom, said body having a trailing arm carrying a bit extendingupwardly and outwardly therefrom in trailing relation with respect tosaid rib top. 1

10. A gathering conveyor flight comprising a body having a leadingmaterial scraping face formed as a concave curve terminating in=aleading point at its outer end, said point being adjacent the bottomthereof and forming the tip .bit by turning the same in said nut. v

12. In a mining machine, the combination with a hard metal holder havinga'bit socket, of a nut within said holder, and a bolt threaded throughsaid nut into position to engage a bit in said socket. n

13. In a chaincutter for mining machines, the combination with a chainlink, of a bit holder mounted thereon, a cutting bit extending into asocket in said holder, a nut within said holder, a bolt threaded throughsaid nut into position to engage said bit to hold the same in saidsocket, and means to prevent said nut from turning relatively to saidholder when said bolt is being tightened against said bit.

14. In a loading machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of agathering conveyor pivoted thereto on a horizontal axis, a resilientsupport connected to the underside of said gathering conveyor, and meanscomprising a fluidpressure motor connected to said resilient support toeffect therethrough the adjustment of' said gathering conveyor on saidhorizontal axis. 15. A chain flight. conveyor comprising a chain havinga link with an individual projecting cam face, a conveyor flight pivotedto a link in advance of said link having the cam face, a trailing armextending rearwardly from said flight, an abutment on said arm inposition to engage said cam face, and dislodging mechanism mounted onsaid arm in spaced relation to said flight.

16. A gathering flight for a chain conveyor comprising a 'body havingleading gathering means and a support mounted on the gathering means forcarrying a tearing down tool trailing the gathering means in spacedrelation thereto.

17. A gathering flight for a chain conveyor comprising a body having aleading gathering face connecting a scraping edge and a serrated rib anda support projecting rearwardly for rated rib in spaced relationthereto.

18. A gathering flight for chain conveyors comprising a body with agathering face having carrying a tearing down tool trailing thesercomprising a body having a curved lower scraping edge" connected by aconcave gathering face to a curved'serrated rib inclined upwardly andextended laterally over the top of the conveyor chain when connectedthereto in operation.

20. A gathering flight for chain conveyors comprising a body adapted tobe pivotally connected to a link of the chain, a trailing arm extendingrearwardly from said flight in position to engage another link of thechain, and dislodging mechanism mounted by said trailing arm in spacedrelation to said body.

21. In a loading machine, the combination with a supporting frame, ofgathering conveyor mechanism mounted on said frame, said conveyormechanism comprising a pair of oppositely traveling laterally spacedconveyor chains each carrying flights in spaced relation along thechain, means for driving the chains with the flights of one chain inflxed relation to the flights of the other chain so that the flights onthe separate chains can attack the coal substantially at the same time,and means for moving said frame to feed the conveyor mechanism forfrontal attack into the mass of coal, said flights tapering downwardlyto picking fingers at their outer ends and having gathering facesleading fromlower scraping edges upwardly to lateral extensions over thetops of the chains, the construction'and arrangement being such that theflights can wedge under the mass of coal in the frontal attack andgather such coal for transfer along a path between the chains by saidscraping edges and enable such lateral extensions to transfer coal alongand over the tops of the chains along additional paths at upper levels.

22. In a loading machine, the combination with a supporting frame havinga conveyor trough extending rearwardly from a receiving end, of a pairof chain scraper flight conveyors on said frame, dislodging bits mountedon alternate scraper flights of each conveyor, and means for drivingsaid chain flight conveyors with the flights thereof in closely adjacentpairs when scraping material along said trough with the' dislodging bitsof one conveyor in staggered relation with the dislodging bits of theother conveyor.

23. In a loadingmachine, the combination .ed to extend beyond the outerend of said receiving plate in position to penetrate the mass ofmaterial to be loaded and each having a gathering face slanting upwardlyand rearwardly from a curved lower scraping edge to said downwardlyextending serration, and mechanism for connectdirections and in flxedrelation to each other so that the flights of one conveyor will beclosely associated with the flights of the other conveyor for operationin adjacent pairs along said conveyor trough.

24. In a loading machine, the combination with a supporting frame havinga trough extending rearwardly from the receiving end thereof, of a pairof endless chain flight conveyors each provided with spaced flights eachhaving lower edges adapted to scrape along the bottom of said trough,mechanism affording lateral guideways spaced above the level of thebottom of said trough, and extensions on said flights projectinglaterally over said guideways to scrape material along the same duringoperation of said scraping edges along the bottom of said trough.

25. A gathering conveyor flight comprising a body having a concavegathering face receding upwardly from a curved scraping edge whichterminates in a leading picking finger at its outer end.

26. A gathering conveyor flight comprising a body having a leadingmaterial gathering faceformed as a concave curve between a lowerscraping edge and a top rib which is inclined upwardly from a pickingfinger at its outer end.

27. In a loading machine, the combination

